SELF-CENTERING HORIZONTALLY TRANSLATABLE SUPPORT/HOLD-DOWN APPARATUS FOR BUILDING STRUCTURES AND THE LIKE

摘要

A pair of confronting conical support surfaces confine therebetween a spherical ball bearing to define a structure support means which allows horizontal translation in any direction of one support surface relative to the other via the ball bearing. Structure hold-down means generally integral with the conical surfaces limits the vertical movement therebetween when the earth is at rest or when moving, while allowing horizontal translation. The structure support means and the structure hold-down means are disposed between the structure and its foundation, whereby horizontal movement of the earth due to earthquakes, etc., moves only the lower support surface. The upper support surface and the building experiences no horizontal movement due to the building inertia, and the frictionless lateral translation allowed by the ball bearing. The support means and the hold-down means may be combined in an integral unit of various configurations, or may be separated into separate units spaced between the structure and its foundation.